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Attracting Students to the Field of Logistics, Part 1

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  • Michael J. Maloni
  • Christina R. Scherrer
  • Stacy M. Campbell
  • Elizabeth Boyd

Abstract

Practitioner and academic literature indicate a shortage of young professionals entering logistics, yet limited research exists to understand how to attract more students to the field. To address this gap, we compare survey data of logistics practitioner job characteristics to survey data of expected job values of undergraduate students from seven universities. Based on personality‐job fit theory, this study allows us to explore how to better promote the major and field to students as well as to propose recommendations to redesign logistics jobs to better meet student expectations. The results reveal that intrinsic job characteristics desired by students such as learning and seeing the results of their work are prominent in logistics jobs. However, other significant student expectations, specifically long‐term job stability and pace of promotions, are not prominent in logistics jobs. The results further reveal that promotional messages about the industry are most effectively communicated to students via family, business professionals, and presence on the Internet more so than by professors and college advisors. Ultimately, this research suggests strategies to increase the number of students both majoring in logistics and entering the professional field to address the workforce shortage.

Suggested Citation

  • Michael J. Maloni & Christina R. Scherrer & Stacy M. Campbell & Elizabeth Boyd, 2016. "Attracting Students to the Field of Logistics, Part 1," Transportation Journal, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 55(4), pages 420-442, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:transj:v:55:y:2016:i:4:p:420-442
    DOI: 10.5325/transportationj.55.4.0420
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Mary C. Holcomb & Sara Liao‐Troth & Karl B. Manrodt, 2014. "A Shift in Fundamentals: The Changing Direction in Logistics and Transportation Management," Transportation Journal, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 53(4), pages 516-533, October.
    2. Theodore Stank & Chad Autry & Patricia Daugherty & David Closs, 2015. "Reimagining the 10 Megatrends That Will Revolutionize Supply Chain Logistics," Transportation Journal, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 54(1), pages 7-32, January.
    3. Sarah E. Turner & William G. Bowen, 1999. "Choice of Major: The Changing (Unchanging) Gender Gap," ILR Review, Cornell University, ILR School, vol. 52(2), pages 289-313, January.
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    Cited by:

    1. Michael J. Maloni & Richard M. Franza & Graham H. Lowman & Stuart A. Naphsin & Sina Golara, 2024. "Supply chain management research productivity and topics: 2020–2022," Transportation Journal, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 63(2), pages 111-126, April.
    2. Michael J. Maloni & Sina Golara & Graham H. Lowman, 2021. "Supply Chain Management Research Productivity and Growth: 2017–2019," Transportation Journal, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 60(2), pages 208-237, March.

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